September 2016 Debut of the Month | In a nutshell: living like a king in a bungalow | Nick Sharratt’s picture books are instantly recognisable to every child and parent in the country, and much loved; this new book, astonishingly the first full-length adventure he’s written, will be another huge favourite. When an Unfortunate Incident occurs at the palace (it involves a dragon), the King and his best friend the cat are forced to move. They settle into a dormer bungalow, making friends with the neighbours, shopping at the supermarket and buying furniture and knick-knacks at a car boot sale. The King’s childlike innocence (he’s not sure how keys work, gets impatient waiting for the bus) is both comic and touching, as is the way the cat loves and cares for him. There’s drama when the dragon returns, before a very happy ever after, and this will have everyone smiling. ~ Andrea Reece
The cat and the King must find a new home after their castle burns down in an Unfortunate Incident with a dragon. They choose Number 37 Castle Close, and the cat introduces the King to all sorts of new experiences, from washing-up to shopping. Then danger looms when the pesky, fire-breathing dragon makes its return.
Nick Sharratt is an established illustrator who lives and works in Brighton. He has won many awards including the Sheffield Children’s Book Award (1996, 1997, 2000 and 2001), the Red House Children’s Book Award (1997, 2001 and 2003), the Smarties Book Prize (2000), the Kate Greenaway Medal (2003) and the Blue Peter Award (2003).
Julia Eccleshare, the editorial expert on Lovereading4kids says, Nick Sharratt’s big and bold illustrations leap off the page and delight very young readers with their cheerful simplicity. The sounds of lots of different noises are celebrated in Toddle Waddle as a toddler takes a simple stroll to the end of the pier and lots of others follow, greedy animals tuck into delicious plates of food at the lovely meal where manners don’t matter in Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose.